This program is designated towards assisting the residents of West Philadelphia and the broader community. The medical clinic runs on Wednesday nights from 5:30 to 7 pm at Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral on S 38th St. University of Pennsylvania. Students from the Undergraduate Schools of the University of Pennsylvania as well as the School of Medicine participate in the clinic to offer quality service to the community. The goal is to develop a relationship with the community and to care for the community's needs by providing free medical care.
Services provided include:

• Blood pressure and blood glucose readings
• PPD reading (by physician 6:30; bring paperwork)
• Vitamins for adults & children
• Physician visit (after history and physical by med student)
• Some prescriptions filled (after physician visit)
• Emergency referral and delivery to ER
• Dermatology/skin consultations
• Other follow-up referrals (e.g. podiatry, dental work, hypertension)
• Surgery residents available every third Wednesday of the month
• Connections to social services
• Health insurance
• Food stamps
• Doctor’s appointments
• Resources for quitting smoking, drinking and/or drug use

UPENN undergraduate students can volunteer! For more information click here.

JeffHOPE

JeffHOPE is a group of student-run free clinics under Jefferson’s Department of Family and Community Medicine. In regards to the homeless, they go to four shelters in Philadelphia in rotation, providing basic medical care. Through JeffHOPE individuals and families experiencing homelessness gain access to resources and healthcare providers.

Specific medical help include:

• General adult and pediatric care
• Health maintenance visits
• Sick visits
• Blood sugar checks
• Adult immunizations
• Birth control
• Diabetes education
• Parenting classes
• Vaccinations
• Medications and refills
• Health education
• Smoking cessation
• Physician referrals
• Medical insurance applications
• Handouts of basic personal items from toiletries to socks and slippers
• In collaboration with the Department of Physical Therapy of the Jefferson College of Rehabilitation
Sciences, ability to address musculoskeletal needs

The 4 homless shelters are:

1. Eliza Shirley visited on Mondays, 6-8 PM
• This is one of the largest shelters for women and children. It serves as the intake shelter to provide short term housing and intermediate placement for families.
2. Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission on Tuesdays, 6-9:30 PM
• This men's shelter houses 175 beds and additional overflow sleeping mats to serve as a code red/blue shelter so that no one is turned away during times of extreme temperatures. Residents can stay up to 30 days at no cost to them, with an additional 50 beds in the Overcome program, through which residents can stay for up to one year, on the condition that they take classes and fulfill certain requirements with the goal of employment by the end of their stay.
3. ACTS (Acts Christian Transitional Service) on Wednesdays, 6-8 PM
• This is a recovery house for women and their children providing a variety of services and programs to their residents. Programs include supportive drug and alcohol services, continuing education for literacy or GED and college prep, job training, health service referrals, counseling and assistance in family reunification, and recreational programs.
4. Our Brother's Place on Thursdays, 6-8 PM
• OBP was intended to serve as an entry level shelter for the hardcore homeless population of Philadelphia. The center runs two programs: a shelter capable of housing 150 residents nightly and a day program serving up to 100 people per day.

For more information click here.

Drexel University College of Medicine: Health Outreach Project (HOP)

The Health Outreach Project provides care to underserved Philadelphians through free health clinics and services, run by Drexel medical students. In regards to the homeless, this program addresses the issues of limited health care, lack of insurance, homelessness, and drug and alcohol addiction.

Specific medical help include:

• Weekly walk-in clinic for women and children residents
• Mental health screening and referral
• Social needs screening and services referral
• Healthy Snacks / nutrition education
• Collaboration with Drexel Family Medicine’s “Move It with Mommy and Me” classes
• Flu shot clinic

The 2 homless shelters are:

1. St. Raymond's
• St. Raymond's is a shelter for homeless individuals over the age of 55 years old with chronic illnesses. Drexel medical students provide residents with health screenings, health maintenance and education, and acute/chronic illness management.
2. Eliza Shirley
• Eliza Shirley is a transitional homeless shelter for women and children in Center City. Drexel volunteers provide acute care for the residents.

For more information click here.